Comments on Paddling Otaku: Seems like not that long ago...

How did I not include the website? http://www.pak...

2013-03-16T00:58:34.318-04:00

How did I not include the website?

http://www.pakboats.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=201&Itemid=175

Dude.

Ok, here is the website with photos and the essent...

2013-03-16T00:55:08.554-04:00

Ok, here is the website with photos and the essential skinny. Look at the photo of the Pakpod with the compass. All I did to modify it was to remove the compass and strap and replace it with a couple of loops of wider webbing strap inserted through a piece of PVC pipe about 5-6" long which attaches to the same D ring to which the grey compass strap attached. I attached the webbing to the D rings with carabineers. In essence, where there was a compass there is now a handle.

Actually I was just dinking around with a piece of webbing strap from a long ago recycled childs carseat. So it was heavy and about 2" wide. My end results were a bit off kilter but all I needed was a handle on the front end so it has never been changed. The dry bag roll top closure is the rear handle - you need two handles to make it work as a BackUp style rolling aid.

It is always inflated. It is semi rigid and provides good protection to items within. It works well as a paddle float (it is the best I have used). It is a good backpack for picking up groceries since it is waterproof.

If you still can't envision what I did let me know.

Mark

That definitely sounds interesting Mark, I would l...

2013-03-15T20:07:57.921-04:00

That definitely sounds interesting Mark, I would like to see some video of it in action. Particularly of it inflating.

PO

A better deck bag! I have been sea kayaking since...

2013-03-15T17:25:10.218-04:00

A better deck bag! I have been sea kayaking since 1978 and I agree there are few that make sense.

I am now using Pakboats Pakpod which they say is triple use as a deck bag, a paddle float and a day pack. With a minor simple modification I did that one better and made it into a poor man's Roll-aid Backup self-rescue device. See here http://roll-aid.com/.

The modification was to simply add a loop of nylon webbing strap with a piece of PVC pipe as a handle between the two front D-rings. This creates a nice strong handle. If you have trouble righting yourself using a rescue roll you unclip the Pakpod and hold both the rear handle and the new added handle and it rights the kayak just like the Roll-aide Backup does. Without the need to rely on the self-inflation mechanism of the Backup.

Cons to the Pakpod are 1. It is big (for me this is a benefit but not everyone agrees). 2. It is easy to use but with cold fingers the buckles can be somewhat difficult to unsnap. 3. It sticks up from the kayak and could make rolling more difficult.

Pros are 1. It serves 4 distinct purposes and does each reasonably well for a cost of about $100. 2. It is waterproof and nothing I put into it has ever gotten wet. 3. It is large enough to hold everything I want on deck including snacks, jacket, gloves or pogies, water bottle, glasses, etc. 4. It had high floatation. 5. When I pick up my mail drop it can carry much of the food and do so comfortably on my back. I no longer have space eating day packs, fanny packs, paddle floats, rescue aids. 6. My deck is neat and clean with only the Pakpod, spare paddles (expeditions only), throw/rescue/tow bag and line, Pump, and sometimes a water bottle.

I do not paddle a pakboat. I paddle a Prijon Kodiak and it works just fine on Marlinspike.

No, I don't work for Pakboat nor am I sponsored by them. I just like things that serve multiple purposes reasonable well.

Mark Sherman